MBDA Helping Coastal Environmental Navigate Economic Downturns

In the aftermath of America’s darkest hours, Coastal Environmental Group has been called on to assist in some of the world’s toughest and most sensitive remediation and hazardous material removal.

From Ground Zero, Post Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and the EPA Superfund site in Omaha, Coastal Environmental has had to deliver its best under some of the most challenging conditions.

The father and son owners have developed a remarkable working relationship, with Richard C. Silva Sr. taking the helm as CEO in charge of the overall organization, while his namesake serves as President and manages the day-to-day operations.

“I find it both rewarding and satisfying to lead the individuals of our organization as we improve the quality of our lives and the communities that we are a part of,” said Richard C. Silva Jr. “Spearheading dangerous environmental cleanups, building new and improved public infrastructure, restoring national historic treasures while employing a diverse local workforce are all aspects of my position that truly denote who we are.”

For the last 13 years, Coastal Environmental has offered remediation, construction, marine construction, emergency response, demolition, and electrical contractor and wiring. The company has recently expanded its services into the energy efficiency area.

A company that began with a low cash flow, flourished after gaining its first government contract. Coastal Environmental has grown to 120 employees with corporate headquarters in New York, and other locations in the Midwest, Northeast, Southwest, West Coast and New England.

Coastal Environmental received help from MBDA through the New York Business Center. “They are an integral part of our introduction and entrée to key business contacts and agencies,” said Silva Jr.

The Minority Business Development Agency was instrumental in helping Coastal Environmental navigate economic downturns through teaming with other companies as well as corporate repositioning in order to remain competitive in high-demand areas.

Coastal Environmental is a Federal 8(a)/HUB Zone and MBE/DBE contractor with LEED certification, and government contracts including MATOC, IDIQ, and Task Orders.

The many contracts awarded to Coastal include a $20 million ARRA funded contract from the Environmental Protection Agency for the Omaha Lead Superfund to remove and dispose of lead impacted soils from residential properties. Coastal was also awarded a three-year contract for $5.4 million from the MTA NYCT for the remediation of hazardous materials for New York City. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded Coastal Environmental a $25 million pre-placed remedial action, IDIQ contract for work assigned to districts within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division (CENWD) and EPA Region II (New York, New Jersey, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Native American tribes or nations located in these jurisdictions.

Even though some tasks seem extraordinarily challenging, Richard Silva Jr. said the company is ready to rise to occasion.

“Although many tasks and goals seem insurmountable individually, the Coastal team has taken charge and continually rises to the challenge,” said Richard Silva Jr.

Silva attributes Coastal’s growth and success to “being fair, honest and providing the best services possible.”

“The secret of our success is being competitive, consistent and not getting discouraged.”